Gay Rights

Quigley Leads Charge On Domestic Partner Benefits Fight

Adam Doster — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:08:39 -0800

The federal government is one step closer to providing health care and retirement benefits to domestic partners of its gay and lesbian employees. Yesterday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved H.R. 2517 by a 23-12 vote. Illinois Democrats Mike Quigley, Danny Davis, and Bill Foster all supported the legislation. GOP Rep. Aaron Schock voted against it. From Alyssa Rosenberg's report on the contentious hearing:

Republican committee members argued that the 2009 Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act was an inappropriate extension of benefits to a small subset of federal employees at a time when unemployment was rising. They also said such a move would threaten the definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and could open the door to fraud by people of the same sex who simply wanted access to benefits.

Democrats countered that extending access to health and survivor benefits to the same-sex partners of federal workers in exchange for an agreement that those employees would abide by rules governing nepotism and financial disclosure for their partners, was a matter of equality and of establishing the federal government as an inclusive, competitive employer.

In a fascinating volley between the two parties, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) offered an amendment calling for the Government Accountability Office to study, two years after the bill's implementation, how the extension of domestic partnership benefits impacts health care premiums for other employees. Quigley quickly countered, filing an amendment requesting a similar report on whether the bill increased federal recruiting and retention -- an often-overlooked factor in such cost-benefit analyses. Both measures passed.

Here's Quigley's statement on the vote:

“The fact that the federal government, which should be setting an example for the rest of the nation’s employers, is currently discriminating against individuals based on their sexual orientation is frankly, embarrassing,” said Quigley. “Not only are we denying people thousands of dollars in benefits and violating our equal pay for equal work laws, but we’re making the government less competitive for top talent than private sector employers, 10,000 of which offer benefits to people no matter who they choose to love.”

According to The Advocate, the full House could vote on the measure before the end of the year.

Madigan Promotes "Tolerance, Fundamental Equality" On Capitol Hill

Angela Caputo — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:07:40 -0800

Just one week after President Obama signed into law a measure that adds sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under hate crime statutes, gay rights advocates were back on Capitol Hill yesterday pushing for additional civil protections. Among them was Illinois' own Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who testified in favor of the recently reintroduced Employment Non-Discrimination Act (S. 1584), which would finally bar most workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

To the credit of state lawmakers, Illinois' own Human Rights Act was amended back in 2006 to include both sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under anti-discrimination laws. The fact that we are one of only 12 states to put such protections on the books underscores the need for a federal response, Madigan told the Senate's Education, Labor and Pension Committee. "Through the enactment of a statewide statute prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Illinois has promoted tolerance, fundamental equality and the common humanity of all individuals in our state," Madigan said. "The benefits of such a message to the citizens of our state cannot be underestimated." Watch an excerpt from her testimony below:

IL-SEN: Giannoulias Responds To Gay Marriage Defeat In Maine

Angela Caputo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:15:26 -0800

Back in September, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias became the first major statewide candidate in Illinois history to speak up in support of gay marriage. Since then, raising the profile of the civil rights abuses leveled against the GLBT community has become a central theme of his U.S. Senate campaign. Indeed, the Chicago Democrat has already pledged to help repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy if he is sent to Congress.

So it's not surprising that Giannoulias was quick to respond to the news that Maine voters yesterday repealed same-sex marriage rights at the ballot box -- a stinging defeat for the gay rights community. From his statement this morning:

The march toward marriage equality was dealt a setback yesterday, and I am disappointed with the results. But we know that change never comes easy. I believe strongly that we cannot give up hope, that we must not stop moving forward, and that no matter how difficult the setback, we must never stop fighting for people to be treated equally under the law.

The defeat in Maine has some gay-rights advocates already rethinking their strategy at the state level. Even though state lawmakers like Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) continue to push for equal marriage laws here in the Prairie State, additional focus is likely to shift to Congress, where the federal same-sex marriage ban could be reversed without voter approval. Already, Giannoulias has indicated that if sent to D.C., he's ready to do his part to end these retrograde policies. "This goes to what this country was founded on," Giannoulias recently told the Sun-Times Mark Brown, "equality and fairness."

Full Disclosure: The SEIU Illinois State Council,which sponsors this website, has endorsed Alexi Giannoulias in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Harris On Equal Marriage Act: "We Should Get It Done Now"

Angela Caputo — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:24:08 -0700

The legislative battle over extending equal rights to same-sex couples had its share of ups and downs this past year. State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) got things rolling by introducing two measures -- the same-sex marriage and civil unions bills -- for the second consecutive year. While the marriage proposal never made it out of committee, a growing number of lawmakers warmed to civil unions and the legislation gained some traction in the House. As the session drew to a close, however, it became increasingly clear that the bill didn't have the votes to pass. Harris went so far as hatching a plan to sneak the civil unions language into a shell bill that had already passed out of the Senate in hopes of keeping it alive. But the plan was foiled and the session ended with Harris vowing to try again.

In just the few short months since, some high-profile Illinois politicians have vocally expressed their political support for gay marriage. And with Harris at her side, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) announced today that she's hoping to build on that momentum by introducing the Equal Marriage Act (SB 2468), the Senate version of Harris' same-sex marriage bill. "This is a mainstream position, this is a moderate position, and it's the right position to have in the state of Illinois," Harris said. "We should get it done and we should get it done now." Watch:

Harris plans to keep his own civil unions proposal alive by reintroducing it in the veto session. But as the Sun-Times Mark Brown notes the Chicago Democrat has no plans of backing down there:

[Harris] suggested that if the measure fails again, proponents may shift strategy next year and direct all of their efforts toward winning full marriage rights. After all, nobody's trying to hide the fact that's the ultimate goal.

"We're a family," Chicagoan Kelly Cassidy said at today's press conference, "and we're simply asking the government that represents us to recognize us as a family and give us the tools to protect our family." Listen to her account of how the current system discriminates against her, her same-sex partner, and their children:

Hoffman, Hynes Back Gay Marriage

Adam Doster — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:41:04 -0700

Alexi Giannoulias may have been the first statewide candidate to come out in favor of full and equal rights for Illinois' homosexual and transgender community, but he's not the last. Over the weekend, Tribune columnist Eric Zorn received an email from David Hoffman's spokesperson Daniel X. O'Neil elaborating on the Senate candidate's position:

David Hoffman does not believe the government should intrude or discriminate on the question of who people decide to marry and spend the rest of their lives together. It's an issue of equality and fundamental fairness and all people -- regardless of sexual orientation -- should be provided the same protection under the law.

If elected, O'Neil also says Hoffman would support bills in Washington to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, positions he shares with Giannoulias. (While supportive of DOMA reforms, Cheryle Jackson thinks "civil unions as the best way to extend full civil rights to gay and lesbian partners.") Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk opposes gay marriage and the repeal of both laws.

Gubernatorial candidate Dan Hynes is looking to distinguish himself from Gov. Pat Quinn on the issue of gay rights, as well. In an interview with Zorn, the comptroller said that “if two committed adults want to express their love and their commitment to each other through marriage, I believe they should be allowed to under civil law.” Quinn -- a civil unions proponent -- has not openly advocated in favor gay marriage.

That more high-profile candidates are taking a strong stance in support of gay marriage is welcome news. It should benefit them at the polls. A majority of Democrats back gay marriage now and public opinion is shifting toward acceptance of equal rights more broadly.

Quigley Flips The "Defense Of Marriage" Script

Angela Caputo — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:27:27 -0700

Since joining the ranks of Congress, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) hasn't masked his disdain for politicians' willingness to uphold anti-gay policies. Just weeks after being sworn in, the Chicago Democrat called for a repeal of the "morally repugnant" U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy because of its blatant discrimination against gay and lesbian soldiers. Shortly after, Quigley penned a letter urging President Obama to see that same-sex unions were recognized in the Census count. And at a press conference this morning, he announced that he's co-sponsoring legislation aimed at repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Watch:

Under DOMA, which was signed into law 13 years ago, same sex couples can be denied more than 1,100 federal protections and benefits -- from Social Security to immigration -- that married couples accept and often take for granted. Under the new Respect for Marriage Act of 2009, those restrictions would be lifted. Quigley explains the significance via a statement:

The fact of the matter is, repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) will be a huge national step toward marriage equality, but until individual states across our country recognize and legalize these unions, many people will still not be allowed their human rights. Some states have already righted this wrong, but DOMA is holding equality back. The policy is as discriminatory as it is nonsensical. Same-sex couples married under state laws serve their communities, pay taxes, and raise their families the same as anyone else.

Giannoulias Supports Same Sex Marriage

Adam Doster — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:04:52 -0700

Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown breaks some exciting news in the race for U.S. Senate. In an interview with State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Democrat came out boldy in favor of same-sex marriage, the first major statewide candidate to take that position in Illinois history. He also backs a slate of other crucial civil rights reforms, including the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. From the piece:

"This goes to what this country was founded on -- equality and fairness," said Giannoulias, emphasizing that he sees same-sex marriage as a constitutional and legal issue in the context of past civil rights struggles. [...]

"This is what I believe in, and I'm sure not everyone is going to agree with me," Giannoulias told me in advance of his campaign issuing a position paper later this week. "I'd like to think the public is more accepting of gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships. It could be risky, but it's what I believe."

It's only natural that the 33-year old Giannoulias would come out in full support for equal rights. While opposition to same sex marriage is strong among those over 40, a wide majority (58 to 35 percent) of Millennials support the practice. And his position stands in direct contrast to Republican candidate Mark Kirk, himself one of the few supposed supporters of gay rights in the GOP. A spokesperson told Brown that "Congressman Kirk opposes gay marriage, supports the Defense of Marriage Act, and agrees with President Clinton's policy of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell.'" Moderate positions, those are not.

Giannoulias thinks that we will revisit this marriage debate in a decade and "be amazed we didn't do this sooner." He's exactly right. But we're very glad he's pushing the agenda now.

UPDATE (11:45 am): The Giannoulias campaign has now included a GLBT issues page on its website, which you can read here.

Quigley Rails Against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Angela Caputo — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:33:13 -0700

Since becoming a member of Congress in the spring, Rep. Mike Quigley has happily inserted himself into some hot-button political debates. After only three months on the job, he's taken on Defense Department spending, rebuffed efforts to limit reproductive health care, and condemned the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which mandates the discharge of openly gay service members.

Quigley addressed the latter issue during his remarks today at Chicago's annual "With Liberty and Justice for All" event, which honors gay and lesbian soldiers and vets. "It is very easy to come to the conclusion that we are fundamentally less safe with don't ask, don't tell," Quigley told the crowd. "We are fundamentally less just with 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' " Watch (the clip begins with the congressman referencing his recent trip to Iraq):

Along with six other Democratic members of Illinois' congressional delegation -- Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis, Luis Gutierrez, Phil Hare, and Bobby Rush -- Quigley signed on to the Military Enhancement Readiness Act (HR 1283), which would scrap the policy. Now it's time for the commander in chief to throw his support behind it as well. "We must do this now for our our GLBT soldiers," Quigley said today, "but also for the security of our country."

The De Jesus Blowback Continues

Angela Caputo — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:23:24 -0700

When Billy Ocasio departed the Chicago City Council for a position in Gov. Pat Quinn's adminstration, he chose Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, a self-avowed anti-gay activist, as his favored replacement in the 26th Ward. Mayor Daley will ultimately be the one to select Ocasio's successor and, not suprisingly, the possibility of De Jesus' ascension has sparked protests from the gay community and headlines like this one from NBC Chicago: "Will Daley Appoint A Homophobe?"

The deadline for the appointment is just three weeks away, and as the pressure mounts to bypass De Jesus, the mayor has been sure to emphasize that there are other potential replacemets in the mix. That seems like a clear sign he's feeling the heat from gay rights activists -- including the council's first openly-gay member Ald. Tom Tunney (44th Ward) -- who are emphasizing the Humboldt Park pastor's active opposition to homosexuality and abortion. Kit Duffy, a former City Hall liaison to the gay and lesbian community, thinks there will be political consequences for such an appointment, making it known through the Windy City Times that "If energized by this man's hatred, [gays and lesbians] will most certainly organize in 2010 against anyone who has advocated for this misguided appointment."

In a Tribune article published Tuesday, De Jesus "vowed to not let his religious beliefs influence his policy making." But activist Julio Rodriguez countered that it's too risky to give De Jesus any control over the city's purse strings, particularly when it comes to funding agencies that serve homosexuals:

Julio Rodriguez, president of the Association of Latino Men for Action, a Chicago gay advocacy group, disputed De Jesus' statements that his religious views are irrelevant when it comes to funding programs or events for gay constituents.

"We don't see how someone who has such a strong foundation with his church can separate his belief system [from] his public role, even though he thinks he can," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez's skepticism is certianly warranted. Indeed, earlier this year, De Jesus actively lobbied to kill Chicago's first school for openly-gay students, the Social Justice Pride Campus.

Gay rights advocates recently sat down with the pastor to further explores his views. Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia said they walked away more convinced that that they'll actively oppose his nomination. The Windy City Times reports:

“People asked him very pointed questions about his [church's] Web site, which has a page about homosexuality and how it's sinful and wrong. They asked him if he would change that, and he said absolutely not,” said Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois, who attended the meeting [...]

“I have to say that I don't think he swayed anyone in that room in his favor,” said Garcia.

That certainly doesn't bode well for him. Stay tuned ...

Quigley On "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": "Morally Repugnant"

Josh Kalven — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:57:38 -0700

Since taking office several months ago, Congressman Mike Quigley has been extremely outspoken on issues of gay rights. Specifically, he has called for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) and written a letter urging President Obama to recognize same-sex unions in the census count (something the White House moved to do shortly thereafter).

The Windy City Times has just published an extended interview with Quigley that is worth a read. He touches on a variety of issues and gives his impressions of D.C. so far. Here he is on DADT:

[Regarding] “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” here's what strikes me: On [June 15] , I [went] to Walter Reed, and there you visit soldiers who put everything on the line, and many of them have lost arms and legs. It's one of America's great hypocrises that you have these people who put their bodies on the line and, if [a guy] has a boyfriend, [he's] not good enough for it. [...]

What I've learned in 27 years of politics is that sometimes you win because you have more than one reason or sound argument supporting you. I would like to appeal to someone's conscience that “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” is morally repugnant. [...]

With others, you gotta sell them something else, too. Like with the Arabic translators who were [discharged under DADT] : That makes us less safe. ... Eventually, our country does the right thing -- but sometimes it takes them longer than it should.

Quigley also gave his thoughts on Todd Stroger ("he -- quite frankly -- isn't up to the job") and Tony Peraica ("doesn't know what he wants to be ... doesn't care about the mission"). You can find the full interview here.